Amanda's video - so cute!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FfGzeM27zg&feature=share

Old Crows

Our Youth Need Old Crows.

ABOUT CROWS
by John Ciardi

The old crow is getting slow;
the young crow is not.
Of what the young crow does not know,
the old crow knows a lot.

At knowing things, the old crow is still
the young crow’s master.
What does the old crow not know?
How to go faster.

The young crow flies above, below, and rings
around the slow old crow.
What does the fast young crow not know?
WHERE TO GO.

Women's Broadcast

We were blessed to hear a powerful message from President Uchtdorf using the forget-me-not flower as a symbol of 1. be patient with yourself 2. know the difference between good and foolish sacrifices 3. be happy now 4. Know the whys of the gospel 5. Know that the Lord loves you!
We all needed this super advice given so well. He just nailed his great message and seems to understand women.

Grandchildren 2011

Alex, Justin Mike, Sam and Miles

Matthew and Rachel

Jonathan

Nicole

Ben, Kylie Grant, & Bradley

Rylie, Mady, Lexie, & JT

Calvin, Adon, Kael, Paige, Carson, & Mason

Sarah, Andrew & Brittany

Michael and Annette's Wedding

Malcolm was asked to marry them and got a one time marriage commissioner for their wedding

Michael and his boys, Alex, Justin, Sam and Miles

The wedding ceremony in Gridley Stake Center

Annette and Michael

A 2011 picture of our children

We had a glorious time with all eight children and 29 grandchildren gathered for Michael and Annette's wedding. We also spent the morning for a memorial for Malcolm's Mom, Liz who passed away in May. We so enjoyed all of our family being together for a few days. We had Todd and Billie's Family, Russell and Rajie, Michael and one of his boys, Val, Don and their children at our home. Amanda had Amy's family at her home and Dan stayed with Phillippi's in Vacaville. Erik, Liza and Kathi booked a hotel. Brian and Deb drove up for the day. We love these children and grandchildren so much and love having them with us!!1

Poem about trials.

During our ward conferences this year, I had a portion of the program speaking on the blessings of trials. I wrote this poem to summarize the ideas.

Trials may come to all of us

During some time in our life

Sometimes suddenly, without warning

Bringing much sorrow and strife.

Know that Father loves you dearly

Do not despair or ask Him why

This is a time of testing and blessings

Learning and enduring as you try.

Afflictions are opportunities to learn

To become humble and strong

As we petition our Father in prayer

Knowing you’ve done nothing wrong

Seek peace through study and fasting

Righteous living and serving the Lord

Bringing eternal perspective and patience

And blessings our Father has stored.

Ask what you can learn from lessons

Given to you through your time here spent

Your eyes will be opened to miracles

As trials bring blessings of spiritual insight

.

Patricia Weston

January 2011

One of my Mom's favorite flowers is violets so I planted these thinking of her. My friend, Anita gave me some starts and now I have two plants doing well. They only bloom in the spring and have a wonderful fragrance.

Our darling daughter took this wonderful picture of us. I love it. She is a gifted photographer.

Merry Christmas

Patricia Ann Weston Memorial Highway

I was amazed to hear there was a sign on the 99 highway that said Patricia Ann Weston Memorial Highway. There has been much curiosity about the reason. The reason is there was someone else in our town with exactly the same name. She was a highway planner. I have had difficulty in the past with prescriptions and jury duty because I had the same name and our names were confused with each other. Most people think this is me! How fun!

Two Wolves

I love the story of the two wolves:

One evening and old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people.He said, "my son, a battle is going on inside of all of us; One wolf is evil--he is fear, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self pit, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, competition, superiority, and ego.
The other is good--he is joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, friendship, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.
The grandson thought about it for a minute, and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win? The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

A Soft Answer

I was just re-reading a wonderful story about a man who was riding a train in Tokyo and was confronted with a drunk man who was dangerous and violent. He as about to use his training in aikido when an old gentleman used his gentle voice and concern for the drunk man and calmed his spirit. His final thought was "What I had wanted to do with muscle had been accomplished with kind words." We can all use this example and remember the scripture, "A soft answer, turneth away wrath."

My 70th Birthday surprise party

A Garage full of surprises when we arrived home

Grandchildren helping me blow out the candles on my cake

Tables set at cultural Hall

I had the biggest surprise of my life when Malcolm called all our children and family and arranged to have a surprise for my 70th birthday. We came home from our 2 day vacation and opened the garage and wow! there was all my family behind a banner wishing me happy birthday. There was a cultural hall at the church all ready for a memorable lunch and reunion with everyone. I was so happy and delighted to see everyone. That is all I wanted this year! Thank you my darling husband and family and a million thanks to Deb, Amanda and Linda for all the food and goodies. They had my favorite candy and everything!

Our eight Children

Linda, Steve and I

Amy's Lexie with Auntie Amanda

Our Children and their spouses with us

Malcolm and I with Jon

Dan and Grant

I Believe

This is one of my favorite pieces of music - Enjoy The lyrics are :
One day I'll hear the laugh of children in a world where war has been banned
One day I'll see men of all colors sharing words of love and devotion
Stand up and feel the holy spirit, find the power of your faith
Open your heart to those who need you in the name of love and devotion
Yes I believe. I believe in the people of all nations to join and to care for love
I believe in a world where light will guide us and giving our love we'll make heaven on earth.

Beatitudes

I have prepared a talk on the Beatitudes for Ward Conferences this year and have written a poem to summarize the talk. It is as follows:

Come Unto Christ

Being poor in spirit is much like a child
Allow the Father to mild and to guide
Pruning our weakness-allow us growth
Patience and love are the results of most.

Mourning with family and with friends
When tragedy strikes and feels no end
Our hands are the Saviors as we assist
Bringing comfort through the tears that mist.

Meekness is obedience to the laws of God
Helping us hold on firmly to the iron rod
Being gentle, patient, forgiving and sweet
Often will bring answers while we sleep.

Righteousness involves work, sacrifice and pain
But reflect on all the blessings we can gain
Through temples, scriptures, study and prayer
Our hunger for the spiritual is answered with care.

Mercy brings mercy to those who are kind
Judgment tempered with sacrifice is not blind
Forgiveness, the condition of a generous heart
Know that a loving God to us grace imparts.

Purity in all the areas of our life
Always will bring peace instead of strife
Virtue garnishing our thoughts most oft
Will allow us eventually to see our God.

Peacemakers, oh what a balm they bring
They're seeking and making peace to ring
With friend, church and family near
They are a blessing to all we hold dear.

But those who sacrifice for righteous sake
have brought us the gospel for us to take
For they are tried and true to the very end
A witness of Christ is the message they send.

Patricia A. Weston - January 2010

Welcome 2010

It is a new year and we have a lot to be thankful for. We enjoyed having four of our eight children here during the holidays and enjoyed every minute. We also talked to our other children - Todd, Amy, Russell & Michael who were in other areas for the holiday season. We missed them, but feel grateful for the wonderful children and their families.
Be began the new year with some changes; Malcolm is new Exec. Secy. for the Gridley Stake and will do an awesome job as he is so good with details and loves people. I am still serving as the Stake Relief Society President and will be speaking at ward conferences during January and February. We are planning a Stake Relief Society Activity in March with four great classes and perhaps a speaker with a nice lunch.

New couple picture

This is our new picture for 2010. We had copies made for our family for Christmas. It has been years since we had a picture done at a studio - it is now 46 years together!

Elmo

One of my favorite people died day before yesterday. He was found in his chair watching his favorite program. He was good to everyone and so much fun and will be so missed!

$20.00

$20.00
Sometimes we just need to be
reminded!

A well-known speaker
started off his seminar by:
holding up a $20.00
bill. In the room of 200, he asked,
'Who would like this
$20 bill?'
Hands started going up.
He said, 'I am going to give this
$20 to one of you
but first, let me
do this.
He proceeded to crumple up the $20 dollar bill.
He then asked, 'Who
still wants it?'
Still the hands
were up in the air.
Well, he
replied, 'What if I do this?'
And he
dropped it on the ground
and started
to grind it into the floor with his shoe.
He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty.
'Now, who still wants it?'
Still the hands went into the air.
My friends, we have all learned a
very valuable lesson.
No matter what
I did to the money, you still wanted it
because it did not decrease in value.
It was still worth $20.
Many times in our lives,
we are dropped, crumpled, and ground
into the dirt
by the decisions we
make and
the circumstances that come
our way.
We feel as though we are
worthless.
But no matter what has
happened or
what will happen, you
will never lose your value.
Dirty or
clean, crumpled or finely creased,
you are still
priceless to those who DO LOVE you.
The worth of our
lives comes not in what we do or who we know,
but by WHO WE ARE and
WHOSE WE ARE You are
special
- Don't EVER forget it.'
Count our blessings,
not our problems.

Edward Kennedy

Another Kennedy - history remembered in my life included many Kennedy's

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Dr.Phil's personality test

I took this test just for fun - it was an interesting outcome!

1. Nothing is as constant as change. Some changes are sudden as passing of loved one or unforeseen illness, loss of possessions, but most changes take place subtly and slowly.
2. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that our time is brief. Opportunities come and they go.
3. The greatest lessons we learn are the ability to distinguish between what is important and what is not.
4. Don’t let the most important things pass you by as you plan for the illusive and nonexistent future – find joy in the journey now.
5. There is no tomorrow to remember if we don’t do something today. Childhood doesn’t come back – enjoy your children now.
6. Often we assume the special people in our lives know how much we love them, but never assume, we should let them know. William Shakespeare said “They do not love that do not show their love.” We will never regret kind words spoken affection shown.
7. Regrets come if we don’t speak and express our love to those who mean most to us – the bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone.
8. A man in captivity in the war sent home to his family this brief quote: “These things are important: temple marriage, mission, college. Press on, set goals, write history, take pictures twice a year.”
9. When we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abundance that’s present- love, health, family friends, work, the joys of nature, and personal pursuits that bring us [happiness]-the wasteland of illusion fall away and we experience heaven on earth.
10. Whatever hour God has blessed you with, take it with a grateful hand, nor postpone your joys from year to year, so that in whatever place you have been, you may say that you have lived happily.
11. May we cherish those we hold dear and express our love to them in word and deed.
12. The Savior has taught us how to pray, hour to serve, how to live. His life is a legacy of love. Let us follow Him and emulate His example, obey His word. By so doing we give to Him the divine gift of gratitude.

Temples

This is a beautiful slide show of LDS Temples. Enjoy

Mormon temples

Brother Steve's Family

The whole family
The kids: Amber, Steve
Cherish, Misty & Rachel
Victor, Katya & Sean


Steve & Erin

Stake Enrichment

We had a successful Stake Humanitarian Projects with 5 Relief Societies contributing to our effort. There were 120 quilts, 10 Hygiene kits, school kits, mittens, scarfs, 100 recieiving blankets and other items contributed for those in disaster areas. We were priveleged to participate and help. Our Stake President, President Papa was there to help and many others from the Chico Bishop's Storehouse with their truck and personnel. We are very grateful for all who assisted to make this happen.

Wednesday

I have been working on some Relief Society business today and working in the flower garden. Malcolm cleaned the fountain and got everything going and it sounds so good to hear the water flowing again. Nancy came over and picked up a box of groceries I fixed for her, along with some cinnamon rolls. It was good to give her a lift. I helped Amanda today watch the little ones while she went to school to fill out some forms and do some grocery shopping. She came over later with a card and jewelry to show her appreciation. She is a sweetheart.

RS Enrichment

I am busy preparing for the Stake Enrichment for RS for the Stake. We are using the aspen tree as a motivator. The roots grow together and resprout to grow more trees and grow into a grove. There are just one big organism and need each other to support the entire grove.

Cough

I have been dealing with a cough for several weeks and hope it goes away soon. Malcolm has been very helpful though and let me sleep and recover. I don't want to go to the Dr. Perhaps it will ride its course. Malcolm just had a tooth pulled today so he is dealing with a sore mouth and took some pain meds to help him get through it tonight. He goes to the temple tomorrow and needs to feel better and be able to talk.

Tribute to Mom

2009 Picture of Malcolm & I

Our sweet daughter, Amanda took this good picture of Malcolm and I on New Years Eve. We had a good visit, dinner and had the 3 oldest boys overnight and for French toast breakfast. Tyler and Amanda and the rest of the gang joined us later.

Our children & Us - August 2008

Back row: Dan, Mike, Mal, Russ & Dan

Front row: Amanda, Patsy, Valerie & Amy